There are no plans for a review into Operation Yewtree despite the blow it was dealt as DJ Dave Lee Travis was cleared of molesting young women.

Senior officers and prosecutors have faced allegations of a ‘celebrity witch hunt’ to ‘make us feel better about Savile’ after the former BBC superstar DJ was acquitted on 12 of 14 sex assault charges yesterday,

MailOnline understands that there is no review planned into the Scotland Yard investigation at this stage.

Yewtree was launched in October 2012 after Jimmy Savile, who died aged 84 in 2011, was exposed as a predatory paedophile who abused hundreds of victims.

It has so far cost £2.7million, of which £490,000 has been paid out in overtime to the 30-strong detective team. The operation has also led to 16 arrests, with four people charged and five suspects remaining on bail.

The acquittal of the former Radio 1 star –
dubbed the ‘Hairy Cornflake’ – came the week after Coronation Street actor
William Roache was cleared of sex charges dating back to the 1960s and
follows last year’s failed prosecutions of Coronation Street actors
Michael Le Vell and Andrew Lancel.

Sold: Travis says he had to move out of his £1million mansion in Mentmore, Buckinghamshire to pay legal bills

The former Director of Public
Prosecutions Keir Starmer has defended the CPS against the accusations
of a 'witch hunt' and called for ‘calm and rational analysis’ while
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has admitted his
force faced a 'Catch-22' dilemma when presented with historic allegations against public figures.

After the verdicts were announced,
Travis revealed how he was forced to sell his £1million Buckinghamshire
home in Mentmore to pay for his successful defence against the
allegations.

The veteran DJ
and his wife Marianne downsized to a three-bedroomed bungalow in a quiet village near Aylesbury, which he bought for less than half
the sale price of his beloved former home.

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The major downsize is the price the celebrity DJ has had to pay for clearing his name in crown court.

Travis
was the first high-profile defendant to be put on trial by Operation
Yewtree – the so-called ‘Savile squad’, set up in 2012 following a
torrent of allegations about public figures after the former TV host and
DJ was exposed as a predatory paedophile.

Yesterday, after a four-week case in
which Travis described himself as ‘tactile’ and ‘cuddly’ and said it was
a ‘different world in the 1970s’, he was sensationally cleared, but
said he felt no victory.

Bought: The DJ is now living in this small bungalow in Buckinghamshire

Standing next to Marianne, his wife of 43 years, he declared he had been put through ‘a year and a half of hell’ after being accused of sex attacks on ten women and a 15-year-old girl dating back 35 years. Travis walked free as:

* Pressure grew on the Crown Prosecution Service for rubber-stamping a trial in which there were no direct witnesses to any of 14 allegations made by 11 women.

* The former Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer, who headed the CPS when charging decisions were made, defended prosecutors and called for ‘calm and rational analysis’.

* One of the women who gave evidence waived her right to anonymity to say she would go through the experience again.

Evidence: Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders

After deliberating 21 hours and 50 minutes, the jury returned 12 not guilty verdicts, but failed to decide on two charges, meaning the DJ must wait for a hearing on February 24 to see if he faces a retrial.

A detective yesterday defended the
decision to bring the charges against Travis, who was tried under his
real name of David Griffin, and ignored the ‘witch hunt’ allegations.

‘The
Metropolitan Police take all allegations of sexual abuse very
seriously,’ Detective Chief Superintendent Keith Niven said on the steps
of the court.

'We
fully investigate every case and once sufficient evidence is obtained
investigators work with CPS lawyers and a decision whether to charge is
made.

'In the case of Mr. Griffin, a prosecution was brought, he was tried and the verdict of the jury is accepted.

'We encourage victims to come forward and pledge our commitment to support anyone who has been subjected to sexual abuse.

'We
continue to work closely with our partners and dedicate resources to
investigate crimes of this nature. We will ensure all victims have a
voice.'

Travis told jurors that he was not a sexual predator and that the claims against him were nonsensical.

Jurors hinted that they had grappled with the historical nature of the charges. A day before their verdicts, they asked the judge about the ‘lack of supporting evidence and the passage of time’.

Outside Southwark Crown Court in London, Travis said: ‘I’m not over the moon about any of this today. I don’t feel like there’s a victory in any way, shape or form.’ His lawyer had urged the jury not to fall into the trap of convicting Travis just to ‘make us feel better about Savile’.

He revealed to waiting media that the legal costs of his trial had been huge and admitted:
'I have had to sell my home to pay for some of the expense.'

Travis
and his wife had lived at opulent Haselden House in Mentmore for more
than a decade but put the five-bedroom property, worth £1.19 million, on
the market last year.

His new home recently underwent a major refurbishment after the previous owner died.

Travis moved in with his wife during the first week of his trial.

A neighbour said: ‘They’re quiet as church mice. You wouldn’t know they’re there.

‘You have got to feel sorry for anyone that has to flee their home to try and protect themselves. I hope he can come back here and live a normal peaceful life.’

Travis, who had appeared side-by-side with Savile on Top of the Pops, had insisted they were never close.

Halfway through the trial, a member of the public contacted the DJ’s legal team. He told them he had an amateur video, filmed at the opening of a hospital radio station where Travis was alleged to have sexually assaulted a carnival princess while they were alone.

The video was crucial, Travis’s barrister said, as it suggested that at no time was Travis away from his wife, Marianne, and therefore he could not possibly have molested the girl.

Yesterday Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard said: ‘If a victim comes to us and makes an allegation they deserve a thorough investigation. It’s a bit of a Catch-22 I think. We take a victim seriously, and we could be criticised for being too rigorous.’

'Every police officer and every prosecutor knows when bringing such a case that in the event of a conviction the criticism will be that the case was not brought sooner and more robustly, and that in the event of an acquittal there will be charges of a witch-hunt.

'This lurching from one side of the road to the other only serves to store up problems for the future.'

Mr Starmer goes on to say one of the reasons the cases of the four people who reported allegations against Jimmy Savile during his lifetime were not pursued was because police were over-cautious after facing criticism they had 'trawled' for victims in the past.

He writes: 'Do we really want another Savile moment?'

DOWNSIZING: DAVE LEE TRAVIS' NEW HOME

Travis and his wife had lived at opulent Haselden House in Mentmore for more than a decade but put the five-bedroom property, worth £1.19 million, on the market last year.

His new home recently underwent a major refurbishment after the previous owner died.

The commuter village near the Chilterns was mentioned in the Domesday book and DLT’s home is near the ancient parish church and village hall.

Roman Legions are believed to have marched through the village on their way to a decisive victory at Wheathampstead after Roman coins were found in the village centre.

There was also once a Medieval manor house in the village surrounded by a moat.

Relief: Travis shown in the dock immediately after hearing he had been cleared on 12 of the charges

Dave Lee Travis pictured speaking outside Southwark Crown Court today told reporters he has been through a 'year and a half of hell'

Praise: Travis thanked his wife Marianne for 'being by my side all this time'

But yesterday’s verdicts mean Yewtree has so far been a failure. The former BBC presenter Stuart Hall, not probed by Yewtree, is the only celebrity to be convicted of historic sex abuse charges since the Savile scandal came to light, following his guilty pleas last year.

During the four-week trial Travis, 68, was branded a ‘determined sexual predator’ by prosecutors who said the DJ used his celebrity status to prey on young women.

The jury heard from 11 women who claimed they were groped or molested by the former Top of the Pops presenter at the height of his fame in the 1970s, and most recently in 2008.

The BBC took a battering in the trial because of revelations it turned a blind eye to complaints by women. It may yet face damages claims from them.

In all, 16 came forward with similar claims of abuse. Eleven of these were the basis of the charges against Travis, of Buckinghamshire.

Why the jury couldn't convict DLT: Key question to the judge showed they thought case was too old and too weak

Jurors cleared Dave Lee Travis after a question to the judge revealed they were apparently grappling with the difficulties of historical allegations.

They offered a glimpse into their thinking when they asked the judge about the ‘lack of supporting evidence and the passage of time’.

There was no forensic evidence put forward and in none of the 14 counts was there a corroborating witness to the alleged assaults. As Travis himself told the jury, after the court had heard the women’s claims: ‘It’s their word against mine.’

The jury comprised eight women and four men – the same male-female split as the jury who cleared Coronation Street star William Roache last week.

On the third day of their deliberations, they sent a question to the judge asking what to do if they believed a woman’s testimony but had no additional evidence.

THE JURY THAT CLEARED DLT

The jury that cleared Travis of 12 cases of indecent assault was made up of eight women – six of them young – and four men.

By coincidence, this was the same gender breakdown as the jury at Preston Crown Court that cleared Coronation Street actor William Roache of historic sex allegations last week.

After a four-week trial, during which Travis arrived alone each day to spare his Swedish wife the court ordeal, the jury deliberated for 21 hours and 50 minutes spread over four days.

In the Roache case, the jury only retired for six hours.

The question read: ‘Miss Moore (the prosecutor), in summing up, said if we believe that the complainant was telling the truth, then we must find the defendant guilty.

'Can you give us any guidance on how that should be weighed with the lack of supporting evidence and the passage of time so we are sure beyond reasonable doubt?’

In response, the judge reminded them the prosecutor had said that, if they concluded what the complainant said was accurate and truthful, then they should convict.

The jurors went back into their room and continued deliberating for a further day. In the end, they decided to believe Travis’s account.

He said: ‘I think if a victim comes to us and makes an allegation they deserve a thorough investigation.

‘And we can hardly turn them away. In fact one of the criticisms in [Operation] Yewtree is that in the past 20, 30 years victims have been turned away and not listened to. It seems to me we are caught both ways.’

Yewtree was launched in October 2012 after Jimmy Savile, who died aged 84 in 2011, was exposed as a predatory paedophile who abused hundreds of victims.

It has already cost £2.7million, of which £490,000 has been paid out in overtime to the 30-strong detective team. The operation has also led to 16 arrests, with four people charged and five suspects remaining on bail. Police also revealed yesterday that further victims had come forward alleging sex abuse by comedian Freddie Starr.

Starr, who was first held in November 2012, is taking High Court action after he was bailed again yesterday despite assurances that a charge or release decision would be made.

The veteran DJ claimed he had faced a 'trial by media' during the proceedings. He said he was 'not delighted at all' by the mixed verdict

Leaving: Travis will return to Southwark Crown Court on February 24 to hear whether or not he will face a retrial on one charge of indecent assault and one of sexual assault

The 71-year-old has been rearrested three times over further claims since he was first held. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt said that additional alleged victims coming forward had lengthened the investigation.

‘All of the allegations deserve a thorough investigation. That’s what we do,’ he said.

Britain’s most senior prosecutor also faced difficult questions last night over her decision to charge Travis.

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders ruled last August there was sufficient evidence to charge the ex-Radio One DJ, real name David Griffin, with 11 counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault. A few weeks later, he was charged with two more counts of indecent assault – bringing the total number of charges to 14.

Mrs Saunders authorised the charges in her previous job as chief crown prosecutor for London. In a statement announcing the initial charges last year, she made clear she had carefully considered the evidence given by officers on Operation Yewtree.

She said: ‘We have also decided no further action should be taken in relation to seven separate allegations against Mr Griffin as we determined there was insufficient evidence.’

OTHER ARRESTS IN YEWTREE AND INVESTIGATIONS BY OTHER UK FORCES

Gary Glitter: The former pop star was arrested on October 28, 2012, on sex abuse allegations. The 69-year-old was re-bailed on Wednesday to the end of March.

Freddie Starr: The comedian was initially arrested on November 1, 2012 and has since been rearrested three times after fresh allegations emerged from further alleged sex assault victims.He is now taking High Court action after he was re-bailed again on Wednesday until April despite assurances that a charge or release decision would be made. His lawyers say the decision to keep the 71-year-old on bail is unlawful due to the extraordinary length of time the investigation is taking.

Wilfred De’ath: The former BBC producer was arrested on November 11, 2012 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, but was released without charge after a woman withdrew a complaint against him.The 76-year-old has blasted police for being ‘overzealous’, pursuing ‘spurious’ claims, and failing ‘lamentably’ to stop Jimmy Savile’s reign of terror while he was still alive.

Max Clifford: The public relations expert was arrested on December 6, 2012.In April the 70-year-old was charged with 11 counts of indecent assault on teenage girls and is due to go on trial next month.

David Smith: The former driver who worked for the BBC was found dead at his home on the first day of his trial in October last year. The 67-year-old was arrested in December 2012 and charged in April last year with abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1984.

Ted Beston: The former BBC radio producer was arrested on December 19, 2012.In May last year it was announced that the 77-year-old would not face any further action.

Jim Davidson: The comedian was arrested on January 2, last year on suspicion of sexual offences, but the 60-year-old Big Brother winner was later told he would not face further action.

Mike Osman: The 54-year-old radio DJ was arrested on January 2, last year on suspicion of sex offences but was told he will not face any charges last August.

Rolf Harris: The 83-year-old Australian entertainer was questioned under caution on November 29, 2012 and then arrested on March 28 last year. He has been charged with 12 indecent assaults of young girls and four counts of making indecent images of children. He is due to face trial in April.

Paul Gambaccini: The radio presenter was arrested on October 29 last year on suspicion of sexual offences. He has been bailed by police until March.

Chris Denning: The Radio 1 DJ was first arrested on Monday 3 June. He has since been re-arrested twice over alleged sexual offences. The 72-year-old has been bailed until March.

Investigations by other UK forces

Stuart Hall: The broadcaster was arrested in December 2012 and in April last year pleaded guilty to 14 charges of indecent assault. He is currently serving 30 months in prison. Last October he was charged with 16 new offences including rape and sexual assault.

Jimmy Tarbuck: The 74-year-old comedian was arrested in April last year by North Yorkshire Police investigating child abuse allegations and is on police bail.

Ray Teret: The former chauffeur of DJ Jimmy Savile was arrested on 8 November 2012 by Greater Manchester Police on historic sex allegations. He was charged with a total of 32 offences spanning several decades, including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency involving 14 children and a 17-year-old girl. He is currently awaiting trial.

The 'assaults' he dismissed as fantasies

Broadcaster: Dave Lee Travis in 1976

After he was arrested, Travis said he had only been accused of ‘squeezing the boobs of a couple of women’.

In the end he faced 14 charges involving 11 accusers but his barrister Stephen Vullo suggested the assaults had never happened, and a host of defence witnesses testified he would never have committed such acts. The jury clearly agreed.

Here some of complaints – along with the star’s defence – are detailed.

SHOWADDYWADDY FAN

A ‘starstruck’ schoolgirl said she was terrified she would be raped by Travis at a concert by Seventies chart-toppers Showaddywaddy in Gloucestershire in 1978.

The Radio 1 DJ’s youngest accuser – then aged 15 – claimed she was lured into his Winnebago motorhome, where, she said, he flicked her nipples and slid his hand under her skirt.

Travis was accused of molesting a teenager in a TV studio full of people as he introduced a Smurfs song on Top of the Pops.

In footage of the 1978 episode, the DJ grinned as he stood next to the 17-year-old who claimed she ‘grimaced’ as he ‘had a fumble’ up her ra-ra skirt.

Mr Vullo questioned whether her grimace was in fact a smile, which she denied.

WOMAN'S HOUR ANNOUNCER

A trainee newsreader claimed Dave Lee Travis jiggled her breasts as she introduced BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour live on air in the early 1980s.

The announcer, then 26, said insisted would have ‘screamed’ when the veteran DJ sneaked up behind her and groped her, had she not been broadcasting to the nation.

Travis denied the incident, saying it would have been ‘very, very serious’ and could have cost him his job.

POLYTECHNIC STUDENT

A head teacher told the court she felt ‘petrified’ when DLT pinned her against the wall of his camper van when she was a student and tried to force his tongue down her throat.

The 19-year-old was supposed to be guarding his van, but claimed the veteran broadcaster lifted a badge pinned to her chest and exclaimed: ‘Securi-titties!’ The DJ said the incident never happened.

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST

She carried his luggage to his hotel suite and claimed that Travis gave her a bear hug and stroked her bottom.

Aged 18 or 19 at the time, in 1984, the receptionist at a hotel in Cornwall, said he had also fiddled with her blouse in the lift.

But she admitted ‘minimising’ the alleged assault when she told her boyfriend at the time, saying he was ‘possessive’, and was forced to deny making up the allegation.

CHILTERN RADIO GIRLS

The DJ, it was claimed, ‘couldn’t keep his hands off’ three female newsreaders, all in their 20s, at Chiltern Radio station, between 2001 and 2004, they alleged.

Travis was at Classic Gold FM, which shared the same Buckinghamshire studios. The jury was told that one radio announcer screamed: ‘Don’t touch me, you are a pervert’ as he groped her thigh and thrust a hand up her designer skirt.

Another journalist, 21, claimed she saw DLT as ‘friendly granddad type’ until he rubbed her breast. But Travis’s former managing director at Classic Gold told the jury he did not perceive any complaints as being ‘an allegation of serious sexual assault’ at the time.

The jury heard from 11 women who claimed they were groped or molested by the former Top of the Pops presenter

THE NOVICE NURSE

DLT was branded a ‘dirty old man’ after he allegedly asked a student nurse if she was wearing stockings before thrusting his hand up her skirt.

He was said to have tried it on during a car journey after performing on stage in Norwich in 1983. Travis said he would never have done it.

GERMAN JOURNALIST

DLT was accused of fondling a German journalist’s bottom as they played a flight simulation computer game at his million-pound pad, jurors heard.

Travis ‘crossed the line’ when he was interviewed to celebrate the anniversary of ‘Beat Club’, a German TV show he presented in the 1960s. He said the incident never happened.

TWO THE JURY COULDN’T DECIDE ON:

THE PANTO STAGE HAND

Comedy duo The Chuckle Brothers were said to have saved a stage hand from Travis’s clutches when he pounced on her in his pantomime dressing room.

The DJ was in Aladdin at a theatre in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1990. He was accused of only stopping when one of the slapstick comedians walked past, the jury heard. The Chuckle Brothers, now in their 60s, told the jury he was a ‘jolly great chap to work with’ and they could not remember any such incident.

NATIONAL PAPER REPORTER

Travis was said to have groped the breasts of a journalist interviewing him as his wife slept upstairs in November 2008.

He asked the 24-year-old feature writer if she would like to pose for a semi-naked photograph for him, it was said.

But the journalist had decided not to go to the police, or tell her bosses because she feared it would harm her career, until after Travis was arrested.